Telltale for automobile brakes



May 6, 1941. H. wElcK TELLTALE FOR AUTOMOBILE BRAKES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1957 Attorneys May 5, 1941. H. wElcK 2,240,877

TELLTALE OR AUTOMOBILE BRAKES Filed March 26, 1957 s sheets-het 2 @rma /7/7 W//r A fforneys May 6, 1941.

H. WEICK TELLTALE FOR AUTOMOBILE BRAKES Filed March ge, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A omeyt Patented May 6, 1941 UNETED STATES PATEN FICE TELLTALE FOR AUTOMOBILE BRAKES Herman Woick, West New York, N. J.

Application March 26, 1937, Serial No. 133,259

8 Claims.

This invention is a device for indicating to the operator of an automobile the working condition of the wheel brakes of the automobile.

Further, the device also provides for the automatic cutting off of the ignition circuit of the automobile when the wheel brakes are in a dangerously poor condition.

Briefly, the invention consists in the provision of a plurality of electrically operable signal devices, preferably electric lamps, switches arranged in circuit with the lamps and an inertiaresponsive device for controlling said switches in response to the sudden or gradual application of the wheel brakes.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study oi the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a detail elevational View of the device with one side of the casing removed.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are detail sectional views taken substantially on the lines 2-2, 3--3 and fl-d, respectively of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail elevational View illustrating certain details hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a rocker arm and- Figure 'i is a wiring diagram ci the signal circuit.

Figure 8 is a View in side elevation of the ignition breaking switch.

Figure 9 is a detail vertical section taken on the line Q S of Figure 2, and

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic View showing the device applied.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that in the preferred embodiment thereof the invention comprises a casing 5 of suitable shape and dimensions having a removable side Wall 6 that is releasably secured in place through the medium of bolt and nut means l.

Gn the bottom side thereof the casing 5 is provided with a bracket 3 through the medium of which and of suitable fastening elements the casing 5 may be mounted on the hood of the automobile immediately adjacent the forward end thereof so as to be readily viewed by the operator of the vehicle as well as by pedestrians.

At the front end thereof the casing 5 is provided with electric larnp sockets il and Il), respectively that accommodate incandescent lamps II and I2, respectively. The lamp II is preferably colored as shown, green while the lamp I2 is preferably colored as shown, red Also at the rear end thereof the casing 5 is provided with an electric light socket I3 that accommodates a lamp or bulb I4 that is preferably colored blue.

Secured to and extending longitudinally oi the side walls of the casing 5 are strips or bars I5 of metal or other suitable material that in turn have secured thereto as at IS bracket plates I'I the upper ends of which are notched to receive roller bearings I8.

Journaled in the roller bearings I8 are the ends o-f a shaft I9 to which is secured the upper end of a weight 2D.

Also suitably mounted in the casing 5 is a normally open switch indicated generally by the reference numeral 2|.

Switch 2l comprises a pair of spring contact arms 22, 23 suitably anchored at one end and insulated from the casing 5 as at 24.

A rod 25 is pivoted at one end thereof as at iii to the weight 2U, and this rod extends through aligned openings provided therefor in contacts 22 and 23, as at 23 in Figure 9, said rod clearing the edges of said openings. a disc 28 of insulating material disposed between contact 23 and the adjacent bolt 1 so as to in sulate the contact 23 from the bolt 'I in a manner to preclude short circuiting. Also loose on rod 25 is a disc 21 of insulating material and this disc serves to insulate the contact 22 from a spring 38 loosely confined on the rod 25 between the disc 2l and a pair of adjusting nuts 29. Obviously through the medium of nuts 2S the tension of spring 3E may be adjusted so as to increase or decrease the resistance of the spring to the tendency of the weight 20 to swing in response to the force of inertia.

As will be hereinafter made more manifest, when the brakes of the vehicle are gradually applied as in the usual manner, weight 2Q under the force of inertia will swing in a counterclockwise direction causing spring 3b to cause collar 21 to come into engagement with contact 22 flexing the contact 22 into engagement with contact 23 for completing an electrical circuit through the red lamp I2 to indicate to pedestrians and other interested parties that the brakes are being applied.

Also, suitably supported between the bars i5 is a fixed shaft 3l on which is mounted a rocker arm 32. At one end thereof the arm 32 is connected with the weight 20 through the medium of a link 33 which is pivoted to one side of the weight 2li as at 34 and is also pivoted to the lower end of the arm 32 as at 35. Disposed on the Loose on the rod 25 isI pivot between one end of the linl 33 and the arm 32 is a piece of insulating material 33.

Also, mounted in the casing 5 is a normally open switch 31.

Switch 31 comprises a pair of spring contacts 3B, 39 respectively secured at one end and insulated from the casing 5 as at 4l, respectively.

As best seen in Figure '1 contact 22 ci switch 2l is connected with one side of the lamp I2 through the medium of a wire 42 while contact 23 of said switch 2I is connected with contact 39 oi switch 31 through the medium of a wire 43.

Contact 38 of switch 31 is connected through the medium of a wire 44 with one side of an electric lamp the other side oi which lamp is grounded as at 46.

Lamp 45 is mounted within a suitable signal casing 41 mounted at the rear of the automobile and provided with a lens preferably colored red.

It will thus be seen that as the weight 29 swings forwardly or in a counterclockwise direction under the force oi inertia, and incidental to the application of the vehicle brakes, not only will the switch 2| be closed for completing the circuit through the lamp I2 as previously eX- plained but upon sudden application of the brakes the insulating member 36 will be' moved into engagement with the Contact 38 of switch 31 flexing said contact 38 into contact with contact 39 of said switch 31 so that the circuit will also be completed .through switch 31 and the lamp bulb 45 for illuminating the emergency' signal 41 at the rear oi the automobile thus warning the operator of a trailing vehicle of the sudden application of the brakes of the invention-equipped automobile.

Emergency signal 41 is intended to be an auxiliary signalling device in addition `to the usual brake application indicating lamp normally employed with all vehicles. Signal lamp 41 is to function only when the driver is forced to apply his brakes suddenly. The glass covering lamp 45 of signal 41 is prismatic and extends over a relatively broad area so as to distinctly differentiate over the usual brake indicating light of a. vehicle.

Also suitably mounted switch 48.

Switch 48 comprises a pair of fixed complemental contacts 49, 59 suitably insulated from the casing as at 5I and a bridge contact 52 normally in engagement with the contacts 49 and 59 that is pivoted as at 53 between a pair of ears 54. Contact 49 is connected in circuit with the lamp I4 through the medium of a wire 55 while contact 50 is connected in circuit with the lamp II through the medium of a wire 55, The usual storage battery III provides a source of power for the system.

Also, in accordance with the present invention the contact 50 of switch 48 is connected to a wire 51 in the low tension side of the automobile ignition circuit 58a, and the contact 52 is similarly connected to .a wire 58 in said side of said circuit. The Contact 39 of switch 31 is also served by the wire 58. The circuit 59a has interposed therein the usual timer 53 between 'the ignition switch 59 and wire 59.

It will thus be seen that with contact 53 enwith contacts 49, the circuit is completed through the lamps i4 and l I so that when the ignition circuit is closed the lamps I4 and II .are illuminated.

In connection with the above it will be noted in casing 5 is a that one oi the contacts of switch 43, namely the contact is slightly longer than the contact 49 of said switch so that when contact 52 moves out of engagement with contact 49 it may continue to be engaged with contact 50 to the end that although the circuit Ithrough the lamp I4 is then broken, the ignition circuit 58a and the circuit `through lamp II may be maintained until such time as contact 52 moves wholly out of engagement with contact 59 at which time the circuit of lamp II and the ignition circuit will be broken thus bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The utility of this will be apparent as the description proceeds.

Rotatably supported between the strips I5 is a toothed wheel 59 fast on a shaft I5 journaled in said strips. Suitably associated with the wheel 59 is a spring 6D which serves to normally urge the wheel 59 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction.

Also, and in order to prevent short-circuiting as might result from a contact of the spring 60 with one of the ears 54 incidental to an expanding of the spring, I face one side of said ear or lug 54 with insulating materia-l 54a as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5.

Pivoted on the upper end of the arm 32 is a dog 5I that is normally urged to rotate in a clockwise direction through the medium of a spring G2. A stop lug 53 is provided to limit the swinging movement of the dog GI in this direction, and as shown in Figure l dog 5I is normally engaged with a tooth of the wheel 59. The arrangement ol the dog 6I, spring E2 and stop lug 63 is such that under counterclockwise swinging of the weight 2D, and corresponding swinging of the arm 33, said dog 6I is moved away from the teeth of said wheel 59 and thereby disengaged from said `teeth to be swung on its pivot clockwise, downwardly by the spring 62 into engagement with the stop lug 63. n this position said dog 6I is conditioned so that under clockwise swinging of the weight 29, and consequent similar swinging of the arm 32, it will be moved toward the wheel 59 into engagement with the teeth of the wheel 59 to rotate said wheel clockwise, said dog 6I swinging on its pivot in opposition to the spring 62 with a compensating movement. It will thus be seen that each time the weight 2u swings clockwise back to normal position after deceleration of the vehicle has taken place, dog 6I will ccact with the teeth of the wheel 59 to advance the same, or in other words to cause `the wheel 59 to rotate in a clockwise direction step by step.

To prevent casual retrograde movement of the wheel 59 there is also mounted on the pivot 3I to swing thereabout a dog E4 that is engageable with the teeth of the wheel 59 and is normally urged into engagement with the teeth of the wheel through the medium of a suitably provided spring 65. The dog 64, as will be understood, is constructed and arranged to be cammed, under rotation of the wheel 59 clockwise, out of the teeth of said wheel and by said teeth to release said wheel for stcp-by-step rotation by the dog 5I.

Also provided on the weight 20 is a forwardly projecting lug 89 for disengaging dog 64 from wheel 59 as and for a purpose hereinafter stated.

Provided on the wheel 59 is a laterally extending roller er projection G1 of insulating material, in the path of which is arranged one end of the pivoted bridge contact member 52.

From the foregoing it will be seen that upon each normal application of the vehicle brakes, wheel 59 will be caused to rotate a fraction of a revolution so that the roller 61 is, step by step, advanced toward the free end of the contact member 52. Manifestly as the member 61 first moves into engagement with contact 52 it will cause the contact 52 to swing a distance suicient to move the contact 52 out of engagement with contact 49 thus interrupting the circuit through the lamp I4. This will apprise the operator of the vehicle of the fact that a sudden application of the brakes should be made for the purpose of restoring wheel 59 to its original position. Also to police oiiicers and others acquainted with the nature of the device, with lamp I4 extinguished they will also be apprised of the fact that either the brakes are in bad condition or that the driver has neglected to make a sudden application of the brakes to restore the wheel 59 to normal position. Further, as we have seen, when lamp II is extinguished the operator is advised that the ignition circuit is open and may take appropriate action. As soon as member El moves away from contact member 52 releasing it, the latter falls back into normal posi-tion, under the iniiuence of gravity, closing the circuit to lamp I4. If the operator nds that he cannot make the sudden stop necessary to bring said wheel 59 back to original position, said wheel will continue to rotate clockwise step by step until contact 52 disengages from. contact G thereby interrupting the ignition circuit 58a and the circuit through lamp II. This will 0ccur only if the brakes are in poor condition.

The utility and advantages of an invention of this character will be better appreciated from the following resume of operation.

Normally switch 48 is closed so -that lamps I4 and II are lit thus indicating that the circuits are in operative condition and that the brakes of the vehicle are in good condition.

Upon each application of the vehicular' brakes in a normal manner switch ZI will be closed for completing the circuit through the lamp I2,

Upon a sudden application of the vehicular brakes switch 31 will be closed thus completing the circuit not only through the lamp I2 but also through the rear warning signal or lamp 41.

After a number of applications of the brakes, the circuit through the lamp I4 will be broken. If the operator neglects to make a sudden application of the brakes to close the circuit again, or if the brakes are in such poor condition that he cannot make this sudden applica-tion the ignition circuit will soon be broken disabling the engine.

When the brakes are applied to bring the vehicle to a quick stop, such an application of the brakes will cause weight to swing suiliciently to engage lug S5, before referred to, with dog S4 to release wheel 59. The latter, under action of spring iii! will then rotate in a counterclockwise direction to so relatively position roller 61 with respect to contact 52, that numerous applications oi the brakes may be made before roller 61 will again engage contact 52.

It may be also stated that normally lamps I4 and II are lit, the circuit through these lamps being completed when the key is inserted in the ignition switch 59 and turned for closing `the ignition circuit. In this connection it may be noted that when the wires of the ignition circuit are properly arranged an in order each time the vehicle comes to a s-top or slows down, due to the firing action of the timer 58 lamps II, I2, and

I4 will flicker.

Likewise lamps II and I4, in the contemplation of the invention, being normally lit to indicate that the circuits are closed it will be apparent that when the lamps Il and I4 are extinguished such will be a telltale to the effect that a sudden application of the brakes should have been made to release the wheel 59 and was not made, or that the brakes are in a bad condition.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a telltale and safety control apparatus for motor vehicles having brakes and an ignition circuit, means to open the ignition circuit including a member operative step by step from normal position to open said circuit with a delayed action, means to impart step by step operation to said member including a pendulum operative under gradual deceleration of said vehicle incident `to normal application of said brakes and also operative in greater degree under abrupt deceleration of said vehicle incident to sudden application of said brakes, means for restoring said member to normal position, det-ent mechanism for preventing said restoring means from operating, said detent mechanism being released by said pendulum incident to sudden application of said brakes, and a signal in said circuit operative under control. of said member to warn that said circuit is about to be opened lby said member.

2. In a telltale and safety control apparatus for motor vehicles having brakes and an ignition circuit, means to open the ignition circuit including a member rotatable step by step from normal position to open said circuit with a delayed action, means to impart step by step rotation to said member including a pendulum operative under gradual deceleration of said vehicle incident to normal application ot said brakes and also operative in greater degree under abrupt deceleration of said vehicle incident to sudden `application of said brak/s, means for restoring said member to normal position, detent mechanism for preventing said restoring means from operating, said datent mechanism being released by said pendulum incident to sudden application of said brakes, and a signal in said circuit operative under con-trol of said member to warn that said circuit is about to be opened by said member.

3. In a telltale and safety control apparatus for motor vehicles having brakes and an ignition circuit, means to open the circuit including a member operative step by step from normal position to open said circuit with a delayed action, means to impart step by step operation to said member including a pendulum operative under .gradual deceleration of the vehicle incident to normal application of said brakes and also operative in greater degree under abrupt deceleration of said vehicle incident to sudden application of said brakes, means for restoring said member to normal position, detent mechanism for preventing said restoring means from operating, said detent mechanism being released by said pendulum, incident to sudden application of said brakes, and a normally energized signal light in said circuit deenergized under control of said member to warn that said circuit is about to be opened.

4. In a telltale and safety control apparatus for motor vehicles having brakes and an ignition circuit, means .to open the ignition circuit yincluding a member operative step by step from normal position to open said circuit with a delayed action, means to impart step by step operation to said member including a pendulum operative under gradual deceleration of said vehicle incident to normal application of said brakes and also 0perative in greater degree under abrupt deceleration of said vehicle incident to sudden application of said brakes, means for restoring said member to normal position, detent mechanism for preventing said restoring means from operating, said detent mechanism being released by said pendulum incident to sudden :application of said brakes, a signal light in said circuit energized under operation of said pendulum to indicate gradual deceleration of the vehicle, and a second signal light in said circuit operative under control of said member to warn that said circuit is about to be opened by said member.

5. In a telltale `and safety control apparatus for motor vehicles having brakes and an ignition circuit, means to Open the circuit including a member operative step by step from normal position to open said circuit with a delayed action, means to impart step by step operation to said member including a pendulum operative under gradual deceleration of said vehicle incident to normal application of said brakes and also operative in greater degree under abrupt deceleration of said vehicle incident to sudden application oi' the brakes, means for restoring said member to normal position, detent mechanism for preventing said restoring means from operating, said detent mechanism being released by said pendulum incident to sudden application of said brakes, and a normally energized signal light in said circuit deenergized under control of said member to warn that said circuit is about to be broken, and

a second signal light energized when the ignition circuit is closed and deenergized under control of said member to indicate the open and closed condition of said circuit, respectively.

6. In a telltale and safety control apparatus for motor vehicles, having brakes and an ignition circuit, means to open said circuit and thereby stop the motor including a rotatable member movable step by step from normal position to open said circuit with a delayed action, means to impart step by step rotation to said member including a pendulum operative under gradual deceleration of said vehicle incident to normal application of said brakes and also operative in greater degree under abrupt deceleration of said vehicle incident to sudden application of said brakes, means for restoring said member to normal position, detent mechanism for preventing said restoring means from operating, said detent mechanism being released by said pendulum incident to sudden application of said brakes, a signal light interposed in said circuit and energized under control of said pendulum to indicate operation of the latter and hence application of the brakes, a second signal light in said circuit normally energized when said circuit is closed and deenergized under control of said member to indicate that said circuit is open, and a third signal light also in said circuit operative under control of said member to warn that the circuit is about to be opened by said member,

7. In a telltale and safety control apparatus for motor vehicles having brakes, and an ignition circuit, means to open said circuit including a ratchet Wheel rotatable step by step from normal position to open said circuit with a delayed action, means to impart step by step rotation to said Wheel including a pendulum operative under gradual deceleration of said vehicle incident to normal application of said brakes and also operative in greater degree under abrupt deceleration of said vehicle incident to sudden application of said brakes, a feeding dog operative by said pendulum and operatively related to said wheel, spring means for restoring said wheel to normal position, releasable means for blocking restoring of said Wheel released by movement of said pendulum in greater degree, and a signal in said circuit operative under control of said Wheel to Warn that the circuit is about to be opened by said wheel.

8. In a telltale and safety control apparatus for motor vehicles having brakes and an ignition circuit, means to open said circuit including a ratchet Wheel rotatable step by step 'from normal position to open said circuit with a delayed action, means to impart step by step rotation to said Wheel including `a pendulum operative under gradual deceleration of said vehicle incident to normal application of said brakes and also operative in greater degree under abrupt deceleration of the vehicle incident to sudden application of said brakes, a feeding dog operative by said pendulum and operatively related to said wheel, spring means for restoring said Wheel to normal position, releasable means for blocking restoring of said wheel released by movement of said pendulum in greater degree, signalling means controlled by said Wheel for indicating Whether or not the circuit is open, and a signal in said circuit operative under control of said Wheel yto Warn that said circuit is about to be opened by said Wheel.

HERMAN WEICK. 

